[0001] This invention relates to aircraft service systems and methods, including the provision
of attendant call lights and passenger reading lights.
[0002] It is conventional to provide an aircraft used for passenger travel with an audio/video
system for entertaining passengers during flights of long duration. It is also conventional
for such aircraft to include passenger service units (PSU's) including a reading light
for each passenger and an attendant call light for each passenger for use in drawing
attention to each passenger requiring service.
[0003] However, in conventional aircraft, the audio/video system is separate from the reading
light and attendant call light system, so that the arrangement of the two systems
is complicated. Further, since conventional PSU's are connected in cascade, the reading
lights and the attendant call lights in such units respond so late that passengers
are often inconvenienced.
[0004] Further, in certain of these systems, there is only one attendant call light provided
per column of passenger seats, so that it is difficult to know which passenger in
a column of seats is calling an attendant.
[0005] German Patent Application DE-A-3 426 893 (and corresponding GB-A-2 162 724) discloses
an arrangement for carrying out passenger-related and air-steward related functions
in an aircraft by the use of a processing and interface unit with terminal units distributed
locally throughout the cabin. The manner of communication between the terminal units
and the processing and interface unit is not specified.
[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an aircraft service
system comprising:
a plurality of attendant call lights each serving a different passenger seat in
an aircraft;
a plurality of reading lights each serving a different one of the passenger seats;
a plurality of switch units, each controlling at least one of the attendant call
lights and at least one of the reading lights;
a plurality of terminal units, each provided at a different one of the passenger
seats, each terminal unit having an attendant call key, a reading light key, means
for generating a request signal in response to operation of at least one of the attendant
call key and the reading light key, and decoder means for decoding encoded signals;
a central control apparatus including encoder means for encoding signals to be
sent to said terminal units; and
means for transmitting signals between the terminal units and the central control
apparatus;
characterised in that:
said terminal units each include means for generating an address identifying one
of the passenger seats, such that said generated request signal includes the address;
said central control apparatus includes a control signal generating means capable
of generating an attendant call light control signal in response to each request signal
generated in response to operation of one of the attendant call keys and a reading
light control signal in response to each request signal generated in response to operation
of one of the reading light keys, each said control signal generated by said control
signal generating means including a seat address identifying one of the lights; and
said switch units are each associated with means for identifying the seat address
of each received control signal, and are responsive to the corresponding control signal
transmitted from the central control apparatus to control the respective reading light
or attendant call light.
[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an aircraft
service method including the steps of:
at each of a plurality of terminal units provided at a respective plurality of
passenger seats, generating a request signal identifying at least one of an attendant
call light and a reading light serving the passenger seat at which the terminal unit
is provided;
transmitting each request signal from the terminal unit at which it is generated
to a central control apparatus; and
in response to each request signal, controlling a respective one of a plurality
of switch units, each provided at a respective one of the plurality of passenger seats,
and each being capable of controlling at least one of the reading lights and at least
one of the attendant call lights;
characterised in that:
in response to each request signal, a control signal is generated at the central
control apparatus and is transmitted to the switch units;
each generated request signal includes an address identifying one of the passenger
seats;
each control signal generated at the central control apparatus includes a seat
address identifying the light identified by the request signal;
each control signal is digitally encoded at the central control apparatus, and
decoded at each terminal unit;
at each switch unit, each received control signal is processed to identify the
seat address included in said received control signal; and
each light identified by one of the seat addresses is controlled as identified
by the received control signal processing step.
[0008] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying
drawings, throughout which like parts are referred to by like references, and in which:
Figures 1A and 1B are block circuit diagrams showing the overall arrangement of an
aircraft service system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view showing a selection indicating apparatus included in the system
of Figures 1A and 1B;
Figure 3 is a plan view of two units of the selection indicating apparatus shown in
Figure 2, each mounted on the rear surface of a respective passenger seat;
Figures 4A to 4C and 5A to 5D are diagrams showing signal formats used in the system
according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figures 6A and 6B are block circuit diagrams showing the overall arrangement of a
service system according to another embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the interior of an aircraft equipped with a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
[0009] A service system according to an embodiment of the present invention, for use in
an aircraft, will hereinafter be described with reference to Figures 1A and 1B.
[0010] Referring to Figures 1A and 1B, a transmitter 100 is provided in a crew's compartment
or the like in an aircraft, and terminal units 200 each serve a different one of the
aircraft passenger seats. The embodiment of Figures 1A and 1B includes a frequency-division-multiplex
system including seven "down" channels for transmitting signals from the transmitter
100 to the terminal units 200 and two "up" channels for transmitting signals from
the terminal units 200 to the transmitter 100. The down channels are used to transmit
a variety of information signals, control signals and polling signals. The up channels
are used both to transmit data generated by the passengers at arbitrary times from
the terminal units 200, and data generated in response to polling signals from the
transmitter 100.
[0011] In the transmitter 100, video tape recorders (VTRs) 110 to 113 are provided, each
of which may be an 8 mm VTR, for example. The VTR 110 is used for an override operation
and is loaded with a cassette tape explaining, for example, how to put on a life-jacket.
Each of the other VTRs 111, 112 and 113 is loaded with a cassette tape of a video
programme such as a film.
[0012] Each of the VTRs 111, 112 and 113 is provided with a terminal V for supplying a reproduced
video signal and with terminals L, R and A for supplying reproduced audio signals.
[0013] The VTRs 110 to 113 supply video signals V, stereo audio signals L and R in a first
language, and monaural audio signals A in a second language.
[0014] The transmitter 100 also includes a television tuner 114, a still image reproducer
115 such as a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory) player, which is loaded with
a compact disc on which airport maps, various procedures, and other information may
be recorded. Each of the units 114 and 115 supplies video signals V and audio signals
L, R and A.
[0015] The transmitter 100 further includes CD players 121 to 129 which supply stereo audio
signals L, R which may be music signals, for example.
[0016] The Figure 1A system includes a microphone 131 for making announcements from within
the cabin, an audio-visual (AV) control unit 132, an announce switch 132A, an override
switch 132B, and pause switches 132C to 132E for commanding the VTRs 111 to 113 to
pause.
[0017] The Figure 1A system also includes memory units 141 to 147 (each of which may be,
for example, a ROM cartridge for use in a conventional personal computer such as an
MSX standard personal computer) in which software programs such as games or the like
may be written, and a random access memory (RAM) cartridge 148 in which may be stored
programs and data such as a menu or the like indicating services available in the
cabin. The programs and data from the cartridges 141 to 148 are time-division-multiplexed
by a multiplexer 149 for transmission as a serial signal to a CADA (cable digital
audio/data transmission) encoder 151, as will be described later. A further CADA encoder
152 is also provided.
[0018] The CADA encoders 151 and 152 are of the type described in US Patent No. US-A-4 684
981. Each of the CADA encoders 151 and 152 pulse code modulates ("PCM-codes") and
time-division-multiplexes 16-channel monaural audio signals (or 8-channel stereo audio
signals) and a command signal (to be described below) for controlling one or more
of the terminal units 200. The multiplexed signals generated in each of the CADA encoders
151 and 152 have substantially the same bandwidth as that of the ordinary video signal.
The format of the PCM signals generated in the CADA encoders 151 and 152 will be described
later.
[0019] The Figure 1A system also includes modulators 161 to 167 each of which preferably
includes an amplitude modulator of the type that produces vestigial sideband (VSB)
signals, a duplexer 169 which separates signals in the down channels and those in
the up channels, and a controller 105 preferably comprising a microcomputer for controlling
the above-mentioned respective circuits and the terminal units 200. The controller
105 is supplied with commands, data, and other signals from the terminal units 200
through the duplexer 169 and a demodulator 106.
[0020] A master control unit 101 comprises a microcomputer for centrally controlling and
monitoring operation of the overall system including the transmitter 100 and the terminal
units 200. For this purpose, the master control unit 101 is connected to the controller
105, a keyboard 102 for inputting data, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display 103 for monitoring
data, and an external storage unit 104, which may be a floppy disc drive or a hard
disc drive (HDD).
[0021] Normally, the video signal V from the VTR 111 is supplied to the modulator 161 through
a switching circuit 117. On the other hand, video signals V from the VTRs 112 to 115
are respectively supplied to the modulators 162 to 165 to be modulated in the same
manner as are video signals to be broadcast in an ordinary television broadcasting
system. The modulators 161 to 165 output modulated signals, of the type broadcast
by ordinary television broadcast systems, each occupying a different frequency channel.
These modulated signals are supplied to an adder 168.
[0022] Audio signals L, R and A from the VTR 111 are supplied to the CADA encoder 151 through
the switching circuit 117. Audio signals L, R and A from the VTRs 112, 113, the units
114, 115 and the compact disc players 121 to 129 and output signals from the multiplexer
149 are supplied to the encoders 151 and 152 wherein these signals are converted into
two time-division-multiplexed signals. These time-division-multiplexed signals are
respectively supplied to the modulators 166 and 167 to be modulated, so that modulated
signals occupying vacant channels (i.e., channels other than those occupied by the
modulated signals produced in the modulators 161 to 165) emerge from the modulators
166 and 167. The modulated signals from the modulators 166 and 167 are then supplied
to the adder 168.
[0023] The adder 168 then frequency-multiplexes the modulated signals from the modulators
161 to 167 and outputs the resulting multiplexed signals.
[0024] This multiplexed signal is delivered through the duplexer 169 to a leaky cable 171
as a signal for the down channels. The cable 171 is preferably a coaxial cable having
a spirally indented periphery so as to leak transmitted signals.
[0025] The cable 171 is thus usually supplied with frequency-multiplexed video signals V
from the VTRs 111 to 113 and the units 114, 115 as well as encoded audio signals L,
R and A reproduced from the VTRs 111 to 113, the units 114, 115 and the CD players
121 to 129, and programs and data from the cartridges 141 to 148 which are time-division-multiplexed
before they are frequency-multiplexed.
[0026] To make an announcement in the cabin, the announce switch 132A is turned on. Actuation
of the switch 132A automatically generates a control signal for placing the VTRs 111
to 113, the units 114, 115 and the CD players 121 to 129 into a pause mode, muting
the circuits for reproducing their signals, and setting a switching circuit 116 into
the state shown in Figure 1A so that a voice signal from the microphone 131 is supplied
from the AV control unit 132 through the switching circuit 116 to the modulator 161
to be modulated to an FM signal similar to the audio signal component of an ordinary
broadcast television signal. This FM signal is supplied to the adder 168.
[0027] In this event, the voice signal from the microphone 131 is also supplied from the
AV control unit 132 to the encoder 151, and the controller 105 supplies the encoders
151 and 152 with a command signal indicative of an announce mode on the basis of a
signal supplied from the AV control unit 132 which is indicative of actuation of the
announce switch 132A.
[0028] When an announcement is made in the cabin, a voice signal representative of the announcement
is added to the signals normally supplied to the adder 168 and a command signal indicative
of the announce mode is delivered by the modulator 161 and the encoder 151.
[0029] When the announce switch 132A is turned off, the system is returned to the normal
operating mode described above.
[0030] When the override switch 132B is turned on to effect an override operation, the VTRs
111 to 113, the units 114, 115 and the CD players 121 to 129 are set into a pause
state and the VTR 110 is set into a reproducing state by a control signal from the
AV control unit 132, and the switching circuits 116 and 117 are set into a state opposite
the state shown in Figure 1A by a control signal from the AV control unit 132 so that
the reproduced signals V, L, R and A from the VTR 110 are supplied to the modulator
161 and the encoder 151.
[0031] In this event, the controller 105 supplies the encoders 151 and 152 with a command
signal indicative of an override mode in response to a signal supplied from the AV
control unit 132 which is indicative of actuation of the override switch 132B.
[0032] Thus, when an override operation is effected, the reproduced signals V, L, R and
A from the VTR 110 are transmitted in place of those signals from the VTR 111 which
are transmitted during the system's normal operating mode, and a command signal indicative
of the override mode is also transmitted.
[0033] When the announce switch 132A is turned on during an override operation, the switching
circuit 116 and the encoders 151 and 152 are controlled in such a manner that the
voice signal from the microphone 131 is transmitted in preference to the audio signals
L, R and A from the VTR 110.
[0034] A terminal unit 200 is provided for each passenger seat, and the cable 171 is arranged
adjacent the passenger seats.
[0035] In the terminal unit 200 shown in more detail in Figure 1B, a transmitting and receiving
antenna (or "coupler") 201 is arranged in the vicinity of the cable 171 so as to couple
inductively with the cable 171 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from
the transmitter 100 and the terminal unit 200.
[0036] A tuner 203, connected to the antenna 201 via a duplexer 202, selects any desired
one of the modulated signals from the modulators 161 to 165 and demodulates the original
video signal V (and the audio signal A) from the selected modulated signal. A tuner
204 selects either desired one of the modulated signals from the modulators 166 and
167, and demodulates the original time-division-multiplexed signal (that is, the time-division-multiplexed
signal from either of the encoders 151, 152) from the selected modulated signal.
[0037] A CADA decoder 205 performs the inverse operations to the operations performed in
the encoders 151 and 152. A selection indicating apparatus 206 preferably has a colour
display 61, and a variety of operational switches and connectors to which headphones
207 and a joy stick 208 can be connected.
[0038] A personal computer 209, which may be a personal computer of, for example, the MSX
standard, performs display processing for the colour display 61. Each terminal unit
200 of the Figure 1B system also includes a passenger service unit (PSU) 211, a reading
light 212, an attendant call light 213, a sensor 214 for detecting passenger conditions,
such as whether a passenger is sitting on a particular seat, whether the seat belt
at each is correctly fastened, or the like, a transmitter 219 for the up channels,
a microcomputer 220 for controlling the complete terminal unit 200, and an address
generator 221 for generating the address of the terminal unit 200 at which the address
generator is located. Each PSU 211 also includes a switch unit (not shown in Figure
2B) for controlling each of the lights 212 and 213.
[0039] Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the selection indicating apparatus 206 of
the Figure 1B system. The colour display 61 may be, for example, an index-beam type
flat television picture tube (CRT). The selection indicating apparatus 206 also includes
a reading light switch 62, an attendant call switch 63, and a connector 64 to which
the joy stick 208 (shown in Figure 1B) may be connected.
[0040] A television switch 65 selects the reproduced signals V , L, R and A from the VTRs
111 to 113 or the units 114, 115, a music switch 66 selects the reproduced signals
L, R from the CD players 121 to 129, channel up and down switches 67 select desired
ones of the reproduced signals (channels) selected by the switch 65 or the switch
66, and an indicator 68 digitally indicates a channel number corresponding to a channel
selected by the switches 67.
[0041] A menu switch 71 displays a menu on the display 61, cursor keys (switches) 72 move
a cursor up and down on the display 61, an enter key 73 validates an item specified
by the cursor, and a sliding adjuster 74 adjusts the sound volume of the headphones
207.
[0042] Each selection indicating apparatus 206 is preferably installed on the back of a
passenger seat in front of the passenger using such apparatus, for example as shown
in Figure 3.
[0043] In the system's normal operating mode, the frequency-multiplexed signal delivered
to the cable 171 is picked up by the antenna 201 and supplied to the tuners 203 and
204 through the duplexer 202.
[0044] When the switch 65 is pressed, the terminal unit 200 is set into a television mode.
Next the channel up/down switches 67 are pressed to select one of the output signals
from the modulators 161 to 165, that is, one of the reproduced signals V from the
VTRs 111 to 113 or the units 114, 115. The act of pressing the switches 67 causes
the tuner 203 to supply the selected signal V to the display 61. At the same time,
one of the output signals from the modulators 166 and 167 is selected in the tuner
204 and the output signal from the appropriate one of the encoders 151 and 152 is
supplied to the decoder 205 wherein the audio signals L, R and A of the channel selected
by the switches 67 are decoded and supplied through the selection indicating apparatus
206 to the headphones 207.
[0045] Thus, by repeatedly operating the switches 65 and 67, the passenger can select a
desired one from the signals reproduced from the VTRs 111 to 113 or the units 114,
115.
[0046] When the switch 66 is pressed, the terminal unit 200 is set into a music mode. After
the switch 66 has been pressed, one of the output signals from the modulators 166
and 167 is selected in the tuner 204 by pressing the switches 67 and the output signal
from the appropriate one of the encoders 151 and 152 is supplied to the decoder 205
wherein audio signals L, R and A of the channel selected by the switches 67 (that
is, the output of the one of the CD players 121 to 129 selected by the switches 67)
are decoded, and the signals L, R are supplied through the apparatus 206 to the headphones
207.
[0047] When the menu switch 71 is pressed, the menu program and related data stored in the
cartridge 148 are supplied from the decoder 205 to the personal computer 209 for executing
the menu program. Consequently, the display 61 displays the menu. By moving the cursor
to a desired game name in the menu using the cursor keys 72 and then pressing the
enter key 73, the selected game program, that is, one of the programs provided in
the cartridges 141 to 147 is loaded from the decoder 205 into the personal computer
209. Thereafter, the passenger can play the game, for example by using the joy stick
208.
[0048] As described above, the passengers can freely utilise the VTRs 111 to 113, the units
114, 115, the CD players 121 to 129 and the game programs in the cartridges 141 to
147 in the system's normal operating mode.
[0049] A signal including data indicative of software usage at each terminal unit 200 is
sent automatically from the microcomputer 220 to the transmitter 219 to be transmitted
over the up channel. Each such signal is then supplied through the duplexer 202, the
antenna 201, the cable 171, and the duplexer 169 to the decoder 106 wherein the original
software usage data is decoded. The data thus decoded is supplied through the controller
105 to the master control unit 101 for use in monitoring and managing the software
usage at each seat.
[0050] When the announce mode is effected, a command signal indicative of the announce mode
is delivered through the down channel to each of the terminal units 200. The command
signal is decoded in each decoder 205. The decoder 205 is forced by the command signal
to select the channel through which the announce voice signal is transmitted from
the microphone 131 through the encoder 151 to the terminal units 200. This voice signal
is supplied to the headphones 207. During an announce operation, the volume of the
signal at the headphones 207 may be controlled so as to be unaffected by the position
of the volume sliding adjuster 74.
[0051] If the encoder 151, the encoder 152, or the decoder 205, is disabled due to a malfunction
or the like, the announce audio signal A from the modulator 161 is automatically selected.
[0052] Also during the announce mode, a video signal V representative of an image corresponding
to the announcement may be extracted from the CD-ROM reproducer 115 and forcedly received
by the tuner 203. Then, the video signal V is supplied to the display 61 to display
a still image corresponding to the announcement.
[0053] When an announce operation is terminated, each terminal unit 200 is returned to the
state it was in before the announce mode, in response to receipt of a command signal
indicating termination of the announce operation.
[0054] When an override operation is effected, the signals V, L, R and A from the VTR 110
are forcedly selected by a command signal indicative of the override operation, in
the same manner as for the announce operation. The signal V is supplied to the display
61 and the signals L, R and A to the headphones 207.
[0055] Further, when the reading light switch 62 is pressed, the microcomputer 220 generates
a request signal which indicates the number of the seat at which the reading light
switch 62 has been pressed. An address from the address generator 221 is added to
the request signal and the request signal (with address) is transmitted to the controller
105 through the up channel. The controller 105 generates a command signal (including
the seat number) for lighting the reading light 212 corresponding to the seat number
on the basis of the request signal transmitted thereto. The command signal for lighting
the reading light 212 is transmitted through the down channel to the terminal units
200. The decoder 205 of the terminal unit at which the reading light switch 62 has
been pressed detects the coincidence between its seat number and the seat number included
in the command signal for lighting the reading light 212 and decodes the command signal.
The decoded command signal is then supplied to the PSU 211 to control a switch therein
to turn on the reading light 212.
[0056] At this time, the controller 105 supplies the master control unit 101 with data indicating
that the reading light switch 62 has been pressed and with data indicative of the
seat number of the corresponding seat so that the master control unit 101 may collect
and process information regarding which of the reading lights 212 have been lighted
and which have been extinguished. This information may be displayed on the display
103 so that the crew can quickly confirm at which seats the reading lights 212 are
lit.
[0057] A request signal for extinguishing a desired one of the reading lights 212 is generated
by pressing the reading light switch 62 again. The process for extinguishing the reading
light 212 is the same as that described above for turning on the reading light 212.
[0058] If a request signal for turning on or off a certain reading light 212 is entered
using the keyboard 102 and supplied from the keyboard 102 to the controller 105, a
command signal is generated in the controller 105. This command signal, which includes
a command to turn on or off the reading light 212 and the corresponding seat number,
is supplied through the down channel to the corresponding terminal unit 200, and the
appropriate reading light 212 is turned on or off in response to the signal. Accordingly,
a reading light or the like at each seat can be controlled from the master control
unit 101.
[0059] Also, when the attendant call switch 63 is pressed, the call light 213 is lit, and
the attendant call requests are processed by the controller 105 and the master control
unit 101 and displayed on the display 103 in the same manner as when the reading light
switch 62 is pressed to turn the reading light 212 on or off.
[0060] Therefore, the crew can quickly determine by examining the display 103 each seat
at which the attendant call switch 63 has been pressed without going to the passenger
cabin.
[0061] Moreover, the seat condition detected by each sensor 214 is also transmitted to the
controller 105 with the corresponding seat number for forwarding to the control unit
101 for processing.
[0062] As described above, when a passenger operates the switch 62 or the switch 63, the
transmitter 100 centrally processes each passenger request signal (which may be a
request for controlling one of the lights 212, 213). Since the transmitter 100 centrally
monitors and processes the passenger request signals, the passenger requests can be
quickly detected and promptly acted upon.
[0063] The passenger requests are centrally monitored by the display 103, (that is, each
passenger's seat is provided with an attendant call light whose status is monitored
by the display 103), so that it is possible to determine easily which passenger has
requested service and accordingly improve the services provided to the passengers.
[0064] Further, since the service system as described above is preferably combined with
a passenger audio/video system, the combined system is simpler and has broader capability
than if the two systems were to be provided separately.
[0065] Next, the signal format of the time-division-multiplexed signals supplied by the
encoders 151 and 152 will be explained with reference to Figures 4A to 4C. The signal
format is an improvement of that disclosed in the aforementioned US Patent No. US-A-4
684 981.
[0066] A multiplexed signal St shown in Figure 4A is a serial binary signal formed of a
number of super-frames. One super-frame thereof is formed of 256 frames F1 to F256.
As shown in Figure 4B, each frame includes 168 bits and the cyclic period of one frame
is (32 kHz)⁻¹. Each frame has an 8-bit synchronising code SYNC, followed by a 4-bit
service bit SB, followed by four 32-bit data packets PCTA to PCTD, followed by four
7-bit error correcting codes (ECCs).
[0067] There are two kinds of synchronising code SYNC as shown in Figure 4A; a super-frame-sync
SS for the frame F1 at the head of the super-frame and a frame-sync FS for the subsequent
255 frames F2 to F256. The bit patterns of the super-frame-sync SS and the frame-sync
FS are selected to differ from each other.
[0068] The service bits SB, the details of which will be provided below, are grouped into
four groups each including 77 bits. Each service bit contains data such as a command,
a seat number, and the like.
[0069] Each of the data packets PCTA to PCTD is formed of 32 bits and is independent of
the others. As shown in Figure 4C, each of the packets PCTA to PCTD is divided into
four channels M1 to M4, each being formed of 8 bits. Each of the channels M1 to M4
contains a PCM signal obtained by sampling the audio signals L, R and A at a frequency
of 32 kHz.
[0070] Since one frame contains four packets PCTA to PCTD and each packet has four channels
M1 to M4, 16-channel audio signals can be simultaneously transmitted in time-division
multiplexed form by the use of one signal St. Each channel is sampled at a sampling
frequency of 32 kHz and encoded in 8 bits, so that it complies with the PCM audio
standard of an 8 mm VTR.
[0071] Data signals from the memory cartridges 141 to 148 are converted into a time-division
multiplexed bit sequence signal by the multiplexer 149 (shown in Figure 1A). The time-division
multiplexed signal output from the multiplexer 149 is used as one channel of the 16-channel
signals. The signal output from the multiplexer 149 is cyclic, so that when the last
bit of data from the memory cartridges 141 to 148 is transmitted, the first bit of
the data is retransmitted.
[0072] Each channel of the Figure 4C signal is formed of eight bits, and eight memory cartridges
141 to 148 are provided. Accordingly, in the channel for transmitting data from the
cartridges 141 to 148, each of the first bit to the eighth bit of the channel corresponds
to data from a different one of the memory cartridges 141 to 148. Therefore, the transmission
rate of data from each memory cartridge is 32 kbps.
[0073] The four error correcting codes ECCs respectively correct errors which may occur
in the data packets PCTA to PCTD.
[0074] Since the signal St has a format determined as described above, the bit transmission
rate thereof can be calculated as follows:
[0075] One half of the calculated value is the Nyquist frequency, so that the signal St
can be transmitted in a video signal bandwidth.
[0076] As described above, each of the encoders 151 and 152 can time-division-multiplex
sixteen channels of audio signals, and the time division-multiplexed signal can be
frequency-multiplexed with other video signals.
[0077] The service bits SB are preferably used in groups having a format as shown in Figures
5A to 5D. To be specific, four service bits SB are provided for every frame, and may
be designated B₁ to B₄. Assuming that 77 continuous frames are vertically aligned
as one group, as schematically shown in Figure 5A, the service bits SB for this group
have a dimension of 77 vertical bits by 4 horizontal bits.
[0078] As shown in Figure 5B, the service bits SB may be vertically grouped so that each
set of 77 bits is designated as one channel. A first such channel CHNA includes 77
bits B₁ and second to fourth such channels CHNB to CHND include bits B₂s to B₄s, respectively.
[0079] Each of the channels CHNA to CHND is divided into seven words WRDA to WRDG, each
being formed of 11 bits as shown in Figure 5B. Each word has its first bit set to
"0" level and used as a start bit STRT, the subsequent eight bits are used as data
bits DTBT, the next one bit used as a parity bit PRTY, and the last one bit determined
to be "0" level and used as a stop bit STOP, as shown in Figure 5C.
[0080] There is one data bit DTBT for each word in each of the channels CHNA to CHND, and
there are seven words for each 77 frames. Therefore, there are seven data bits (seven
bytes) for the 77 frames. Accordingly, there are 7 bytes x 4 channels of the data
bits DTBTs in all.
[0081] As shown in Figure 5D, the second channel CHNB has its first byte set in a predetermined
bit pattern ("AA" in hexadecimal) and is used as a header HDER; its second byte is
used as a command CMD for identifying a maximum of 256 kinds of commands; the third
and fourth bytes are used as an address ADRS indicative of a seat number (or a number
identifying a particular terminal unit); the fifth and sixth bytes are used as status
information STTS indicative of data or parameters incident to the command CMD; and
the last byte is used as a check sum CS.
[0082] Thereafter, the transmitter 100 can specify desired ones of the terminal units 200
and control the operation of each corresponding reading light 212 and attendant call
light 213 by use of the data bit DTBT in the channel CHNB.
[0083] Since there is only one up channel for random data, the data bit DTBT of the first
channel CHNA is used as a flag indicative of use or non-use of the up channel for
the random data. The flag is set when the random data of the up channel is used. Therefore,
each terminal unit 200 judges whether or not the up channel for random data can be
used by assessing the data bit DTBT of the channel CHNA. If the channel is in use,
the terminal unit 200 delays transmission of a command (and data) to the transmitter
100 until the channel has become vacant.
[0084] The third and fourth channels CHNC and CHND are not defined.
[0085] In the up channel, the above-mentioned service bits SB are transmitted in the formats
shown in Figures 5B to 5D at a bit rate of 32 kbps, equal to that of the down channel
transmission, in the PSK signal condition.
[0086] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference
to Figures 6A and 6B. The parts in these drawings corresponding to those in Figures
1A and 1B are designated by the same reference numerals and explanation thereof will
be omitted.
[0087] In Figures 6A and 6B, the PSU 211 and the lights 212 and 213 are provided independently
of the terminal unit 200, and control signals for controlling the lights 212 and 213
are supplied to the PSU 211 through a cable line 172 (see Figure 6A) provided in addition
to the leaky cable 171. Each PSU 211 includes a switch unit for controlling at least
one of the reading lights and at least one of the attendant call lights, is preferably
installed on the ceiling above the seats or on a wall adjacent one or more of the
seats, and has an address identifying function. Each control signal for controlling
the lights 212 and 213 is supplied directly from the controller 105 through the cable
line 172 to the PSU 211. Each control signal for the lights 212 and 213 includes a
signal indicative of the seat address for the relevant light so that the corresponding
PSU 211 turns on or off the corresponding one of the lights 212 and 213 upon detecting
the control signal having the appropriate address. The embodiment shown in Figures
6A and 6B otherwise operates in the same manner as the embodiment of Figures 1A and
1B so that further explanation of its manner of operation will not be repeated.
[0088] Although the embodiment of Figures 6A and 6B includes the additional cable line 172,
it has the advantage that each control signal for the lights 212 and 213 can be rapidly
and accurately transmitted even when the cable 171 is being heavily used.
[0089] Figure 7 shows a preferred embodiment of the service system when installed in a cabin
of an aircraft. The components in Figure 7 corresponding to those in Figures 1A and
6A are designated by the same reference numerals. The cartridges 141 to 148 and the
controller 105 of Figures 1A and 6A are accommodated in a box 300, and the encoders
151 and 152, the modulators 161 to 167, the adder 168 and the duplexer 169 are accommodated
in a box 400.
[0090] According to the service system as described above, when a passenger operates the
switches 62 and 63, the transmitter 100 centrally processes signals generated in the
passenger's terminal unit in response to operation by the passenger of the switches
62 and 63 thereby to control the lights 212 and 213, and centrally monitors and processes
the signals received from the passenger's terminal unit so that the passenger's requests
can be quickly detected and promptly responded to.
[0091] The passenger's requests are centrally monitored by the display 103 (specifically,
each passenger's seat is provided with an attendant call light 213 whose status is
monitored by the display 103), so that it is possible easily to determine which passenger
has requested a service and accordingly to improve services in the passenger cabin.
[0092] Further, in a preferred embodiment in which the service system is incorporated and
combined with an audio/video system, the combined system is simpler than if the two
systems were to be provided separately, and may more easily be extended and developed
than if the two systems were to be provided separately.
1. An aircraft service system comprising:
a plurality of attendant call lights (213) each serving a different passenger seat
in an aircraft;
a plurality of reading lights (212) each serving a different one of the passenger
seats;
a plurality of switch units (211), each controlling at least one of the attendant
call lights (213) and at least one of the reading lights (212);
a plurality of terminal units (200), each provided at a different one of the passenger
seats, each terminal unit (200) having an attendant call key (63), a reading light
key (62), means (219) for generating a request signal in response to operation of
at least one of the attendant call key (63) and the reading light key (62), and decoder
means (205) for decoding encoded signals;
a central control apparatus (100) including encoder means (151, 152) for encoding
signals to be sent to said terminal units (200); and
means (171) for transmitting signals between the terminal units (200) and the central
control apparatus (100);
characterised in that:
said terminal units (200) each include means (221) for generating an address identifying
one of the passenger seats, such that said generated request signal includes the address;
said central control apparatus (100) includes a control signal generating means
(105) capable of generating an attendant call light control signal in response to
each request signal generated in response to operation of one of the attendant call
keys (63) and a reading light control signal in response to each request signal generated
in response to operation of one of the reading light keys (62), each said control
signal generated by said control signal generating means (105) including a seat address
identifying one of the lights (212, 213); and
said switch units (211) are each associated with means (220) for identifying the
seat address of each received control signal, and are responsive to the corresponding
control signal transmitted from the central control apparatus (100) to control the
respective reading light (212) or attendant call light (213).
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the central control apparatus (100) includes
controller means (101) for receiving the request signals from the control signal generating
means (105) and processing the request signals for display.
3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the central control apparatus (100) comprises
display means (103) connected to said controller means (101) for displaying the processed
request signals.
4. A system according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the central control apparatus (100)
comprises keyboard means (102) connected to said controller means (101) for entering
request signals into the controller means (101) for transmittal to the control signal
generating means (105), and wherein the control signal generating means (105) is capable
of generating a control signal for controlling desired ones of said reading lights
(212) in response to each said request signal from the controller means (101).
5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said signal transmitting means
comprises a first cable line (171) for transmitting said request signals and a second
cable line (172) for transmitting said control signals.
6. A system according to any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein said signal transmitting means
comprises a single cable (171) for transmitting both said request signals and said
control signals.
7. A system according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the first cable line or the single
cable is constituted by a leaky cable (171).
8. A system according to claim 6, wherein each terminal unit (200) is coupled to at least
one of the switch units (211), each control signal is transmitted to the terminal
units (200) to be selectively forwarded to the appropriate switch units (211), and
each terminal unit (200) comprises means (220) for identifying the seat address of
each received control signal and means for selectively forwarding to at least one
of the switch units (211) coupled to the terminal unit (200) only those received control
signals which have a seat address identifying one of the lights (212,213) controlled
by said at least one of the switch units (211) coupled to the terminal unit (200).
9. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each said switch unit
(211) is capable of identifying the seat address included in each said control signal.
10. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central control
apparatus (100) comprises means (110 to 115) for reproducing video signals and means
(121 to 129) for reproducing audio signals, wherein said audio signals are encoded
by said encoder means (151, 152), and wherein the central control apparatus (100)
includes modulator means (161 to 167) for modulating said video signals, said encoded
audio signals and said encoded control signals, multiplexing means (168) for multiplexing
said modulated video signals, said modulated audio signals and said modulated control
signals, aid multiplexing means (168) being connected to said signal transmitting
means (171), and wherein each terminal unit (200) comprises means (201) for receiving
said multiplexed signals, demodulator means (203,204) for demodulating said video
signals, said encoded audio signals and said encoded control signals, and for supplying
the demodulated encoded audio signals and the demodulated encoded control signals
to the decoder means (205), and wherein the decoder means (205) is capable of decoding
said encoded audio signals and said encoded control signals, means (61) for displaying
the demodulated and decoded video signals, and an audio output terminal for receiving
the demodulated and decoded audio signals.
11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the central control apparatus (100) comprises
memory means (141 to 148) for storing television game software, wherein said encoder
means (151,152) is capable of encoding said television game software, said modulator
means (161 to 167) is capable of modulating said television game software, and said
multiplexing means (168) is capable of multiplexing said encoded television game software
with the modulated video signals, encoded audio signals, and encoded control signals,
and wherein each terminal unit (200) comprises means (204) for demodulating the television
game software, and means (209) for processing the demodulated and decoded television
game software.
12. A system according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein each terminal unit (200) includes
a panel (206) in which the attendant call key (63), the reading light key (62), the
display means (61) and the audio output terminal are provided.
13. A system according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said panels (206) is provided
on the rear side of one of said passenger seats.
14. An aircraft service method including the steps of:
at each of a plurality of terminal units (200) provided at a respective plurality
of passenger seats, generating a request signal identifying at least one of an attendant
call light (213) and a reading light (212) serving the passenger seat at which the
terminal unit (200) is provided;
transmitting each request signal from the terminal unit (200) at which it is generated
to a central control apparatus (100); and
in response to each request signal, controlling a respective one of a plurality
of switch units (211), each provided at a respective one of the plurality of passenger
seats, and each being capable of controlling at least one of the reading lights (212)
and at least one of the attendant call lights (213);
characterised in that:
in response to each request signal, a control signal is generated at the central
control apparatus (100) and is transmitted to the switch units (211);
each generated request signal includes an address identifying one of the passenger
seats;
each control signal generated at the central control apparatus (100) includes a
seat address identifying the light (212, 213) identified by the request signal;
each control signal is digitally encoded at the central control apparatus (100),
and decoded at each terminal unit (200);
at each switch unit (211), each received control signal is processed to identify
the seat address included in said received control signal; and
each light (212,213) identified by one of the seat addresses is controlled as identified
by the received control signal processing step.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein each switch unit (211) is coupled to one of
the terminal units (200), and including the steps of:
at each terminal unit (200), receiving and decoding each transmitted control signal
and identifying the seat address included in each transmitted control signal; and
at each terminal unit (200) at which a seat address identifies one of the lights
(212,213) controlled by the switch unit (211) coupled to said terminal unit (200),
supplying the decoded control signal to the switch unit (211) coupled to said terminal
unit (200).
16. A method according to claim 14, wherein each request signal is transmitted to the
central control apparatus (100) over a first cable line (171), and wherein each encoded
control signal is transmitted from the central control apparatus (100) to the switch
units (211) over a second cable line (172).
17. A method according to claim 14, wherein the request signals and the encoded control
signals are transmitted to and from the central control apparatus (100) over a common
cable (171).
18. A method according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the first cable line or the common
cable is constituted by a leaky cable (171).
1. Flugzeug-Dienststellenanlage mit:
mehreren Begleiterruflichtern (213), von denen jedes für einen anderen Passagiersitz
in einem Flugzeug dient,
mehreren Leselichtern (212), Von denen jedes für einen anderen der Passagiersitze
dient,
mehreren Schalteinheiten (211), von denen jede wenigstens eines der Begleiterruflichter
(213) und wenigstens eines der Leselichter (212) steuert,
mehreren Endgeräten (200), von denen jedes an einem anderen der Passagiersitze vorgesehen
ist, wobei jedes Endgerät (200) eine Begleiterruftaste (63), eine Leselichttaste (62),
eine Einrichtung (219) zum Erzeugen eines Anforderungssignals in Abhängigkeit von
einer Betätigung wenigstens einer der Begleiterruftasten (63) und/oder wenigstens
einer der Leselichttasten (62) und eine Dekodiereinrichtung (205) zum Dekodieren kodierter
Signale aufweist,
einem zentralen Steuergerät (100) mit einer Kodiereinrichtung (151, 152) zum Kodieren
von zu den Endgeräten (200) zu sendenden Signalen, und
einer Einrichtung (171) zum Übertragen von Signalen zwischen den Endgeräten (200)
und dem zentralen Steuergerät (100)
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß jedes Endgerät (200) eine Einrichtung (221) zum Erzeugen einer einen der Passagiersitze
identifizierenden Adresse derart aufweist, daß das erzeugte Anforderungssignal die
Adresse enthält,
daß das zentrale Steuergerät (100) eine Steuersignalerzeugungseinrichtung (105) aufweist,
die so ausgebildet, daß sie ein Begleiterruflicht-Steuersignal in Abhängigkeit von
jedem in Abhängigkeit von einer Betätigung einer der Begleiterruftasten (63) erzeugten
Anforderungssignal und ein Leselicht-Steuersignal in Abhängigkeit von jedem in Abhängigkeit
von einer Betätigung einer der Leselichttasten (62) erzeugten Anforderungssignal erzeugt,
wobei jedes von der Steuersignalerzeugungseinrichtung (105) erzeugte Steuersignal
eine eines der Lichter (212, 213) identifizierende Sitzadresse enthält, und
daß die Schalteinheiten (211) mit einer Einrichtung (200) zur Identifizierung der
Sitzadresse jedes empfangenen Steuersignals assoziiert sind und auf das von dem zentralen
Steuergerät (100) übertragene korrespondierende Steuersignal ansprechen, um das betreffende
Leselicht (212) oder Begleiterruflicht (213) zu steuern.
2. Anlage nach Anspruch 1, wobei das zentrale Steuergerät (100) eine Steuereinrichtung
(101) zum Empfang des Anforderungssignals von der Steuersignalerzeugungseinrichtung
(105) und Verarbeiten des Anforderungssignals für eine Anzeige aufweist.
3. Anlage nach Anspruch 2, wobei das zentrale Steuergerät (100) eine mit der Steuereinrichtung
(101) verbundene Anzeigeeinrichtung (103) zum Anzeigen des verarbeiteten Anforderungssignals
aufweist.
4. Anlage nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, wobei das zentrale Steuergerät (100) eine mit der Steuereinrichtung
(101) verbundene Tastatur (102) zur Eingabe von Anforderungssignalen in die Steuereinrichtung
(101) für eine Übertragung zur Steuersignalerzeugungseinrichtung (105) aufweist, und
wobei die Steuersignalerzeugungseinrichtung (105) so ausgebildet ist, daß ein Steuersignal
zur Steuerung gewünschter Leselichter (212) in Abhängigkeit von dem Anforderungssignal
von der Steuereinrichtung (101) erzeugt wird.
5. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei die Signalübertragungseinrichtung eine
erste Kabelleitung (171) zum Übertragen der Anforderungssignale und eine zweite Kabelleitung
(172) zum Übertragen der Steuersignale aufweist.
6. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei die Signalübertragungseinrichtung ein
einzelnes Kabel (171) zur Übertragung sowohl der Anforderungssignale als auch der
Steuersignale aufweist.
7. Anlage nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, wobei die erste Kabelleitung oder das einzelne Kabel
in Form eines Leckkabels (171) ausgebildet ist.
8. Anlage nach Anspruch 6, wobei jedes Endgerät (200) an wenigstens eine der Schalteinheiten
(211) gekoppelt ist, wobei jedes Steuersignal zu den Endgeräten (200) übertragen ist,
um wahlweise zu den betreffenden Schalteinheiten (211) befördert zu werden, und wobei
jedes Endgerät (200) eine Einrichtung (220) zum Identifizieren der Sitzadresse jedes
empfangenen Steuersignals und eine Einrichtung zum wahlweisen Befördern nur der empfangenen
Steuersignale, die eine eines der durch wenigstens eine der an das Endgerät (200)
gekoppelten Schalteinheiten (211) gesteuerten Lichter (212, 213) identifizierende
Sitzadresse aufweisen, zu wenigstens einer der an das Endgerät (200) gekoppelten Schalteinheiten
(211), aufweist.
9. Anlage nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei Jede Schalteinheit (211) fähig
ist, die in jedem Steuersignal enthaltene Sitzadresse zu identifizieren.
10. Anlage nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das zentrale Steuergerät (100)
eine Einrichtung (110 bis 115) zum Wiedergeben von Videosignalen und eine Einrichtung
(121 bis 129) zum Wiedergeben von durch die Kodiereinrichtung (151, 152) kodierten
Audiosignalen aufweist, und wobei das zentrale Steuergerät (100) eine. Modulatoreinrichtung
(161 bis 167) zum Modulieren der Videosignale, der kodierten Audiosignale und der
kodierten Steuersignale und eine an die Signalübertragungseinrichtung (171) gekoppelte
Multiplexereinrichtung (168) zum Multiplexen der modulierten Videosignale, der modulierten
Audiosignale und der modulierten Steuersignale aufweist, wobei jedes Endgerät (200)
eine Einrichtung (201) zum Empfang der multiplexten Signale, eine Demodulatoreinrichtung
(203, 204) zum Demodulieren der Videosignale, der kodierten Audiosignale und der kodierten
Steuersignale und zum Zuführen der demodulierten kodierten Audiosignale und der demodulierten
kodierten Steuersignale zu der Dekodiereinrichtung (205), die so ausgebildet ist,
daß sie die kodierten Audiosignale und die kodierten Steuersignale dekodiert, und
eine Einrichtung (61) zum Anzeigen der demodulierten und dekodierten Videosignale
und ein Audioausgabeterminal zum Empfang der demodulierten und dekodierten Audiosignale
aufweist.
11. Anlage nach Anspruch 10, wobei das zentrale Steuergerät (100) eine Speichereinrichtung
(141 bis 168) zum Speichern von Fernsehspielsoftware aufweist, wobei die Kodiereinrichtung
(151, 152) so ausgebildet ist, daß sie die Fernsehspielsoftware kodiert, wobei die
Modulatoreinrichtung (161 bis 167) so ausgebildet ist, daß sie die Fernsehspielsoftware
moduliert, und wobei die Multiplexereinrichtung (168) so ausgebildet ist, daß sie
die kodierte Fernsehspielsoftware mit den modulierten Videosignalen, den kodierten
Audiosignalen und den kodierten Steuersignalen multiplext, und wobei jedes Endgerät
(200) eine Einrichtung (204) zum Demodulieren der Fernsehspielsoftware und eine Einrichtung
(209) zum Verarbeiten der demodulierten und dekodierten Fernsehspielsoftware aufweist.
12. Anlage nach Anspruch 10 oder 11, wobei jedes Endgerät (200) eine Tafel (206), auf
welcher die Begleiterruftaste (63), die Leselichttaste (62), die Anzeigeeinrichtung
(61) und das Audioausgabeterminal vorgesehen sind.
13. Anlage nach Anspruch 12, wobei wenigstens eine der Tafeln (206) auf der Rückseite
eines Passagiersitzes vorgesehen ist.
14. Flugzeug-Dienstverfahren mit den Schritten,
daß an jedem von mehreren an mehreren Passagiersitzen vorgesehenen Endgeräten (200)
ein Anforderungssignal erzeugt wird, welches wenigstens ein Begleiterruflicht (213)
und/oder wenigstens ein Leselicht (212) identifiziert, das Tür den Passegiersitz,
an welchem das Endgerät (200) vorgesehen ist, dient,
daß jedes Anforderungssignal aus dem Endgerät (200), an welchem es erzeugt wird, zu
einem zentralen Steuergerät (100) übertragen wird, und
daß in Abhängigkeit von jedem Anforderungssignal eine von mehreren Schalteinheiten
(211) gesteuert wird, von denen jede an einem der mehreren Passagiersitze vorgesehen
und so ausgebildet ist, daß sie wenigstens eines der Leselichter (212) und/ wenigstens
eines der Begleiterruflichter (213) steuert,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß in Abhängigkeit von jedem Anforderungssignal ein Steuersignal an dem zentralen
Steuergerät (100) erzeugt und zu den Schalteinheiten (211) übertragen wird,
daß jedes erzeugte Anforderungssignal eine einen der Passegiersitze identifizierende
Adresse enthält,
daß jedes der an dem zentralen Steuergerät (100) erzeugte Steuersignal eine das durch
das Anforderungssignal identifizierte Licht (212, 213) identifizierende Sitzadresse
enthält,
daß jedes Steuersignal an dem zentralen Steuergerät (100) digital kodiert und an jedem
Endgerät (200) dekodiert wird,
daß an jeder Schalteinheit (211) jedes empfangene Steuersignal so verarbeitet wird,
daß die in dem empfangenen Steuersignal enthaltene Sitzadresse identifiziert wird,
und
daß jedes durch eine der Sitzadressen identifizierte Licht (212, 213) so gesteuert
wird, wie es durch den Verarbeitungsschritt für das empfangene Steuersignal identifiziert
wird.
15. Verfahren nach Anspruch 14, wobei jede Schalteinheit (211) an eines der Endgeräte
(200) gekoppelt wird, und mit den Schritten,
daß jedes Endgerät (200) jedes übertragene Steuersignal empfängt und dekodiert und
die in jedem übertragenen Steuersignal enthaltene Sitzadresse identifiziert, und
daß jedes Endgerät (200), an welchem eine Sitzadresse eines der durch die an das Endgerät
(200) gekoppelte Schalteinheit (211) gesteuerten Lichter (212, 213) identifiziert,
das dekodierte Steuersignal der an das Endgerät (200) gekoppelten Schalteinheit (211)
zuführt.
16. Verfahren nach Anspruch 14, wobei jedes Anforderungssignal zum zentralen Steuergerät
(100) über eine erste Kabelleitung (171) übertragen wird, und wobei jedes kodierte
Steuersignal von dem zentralen Steuergerät (100) zu den Schalteinheiten (211) über
eine zweite Kabelleitung (172) übertragen wird.
17. Verfahren nach Anspruch 14, wobei die Anforderungssignale und die kodierten Steuersignale
zu und von dem zentralen Steuergerät (100) über ein gemeinsames Kabel (171) übertragen
werden.
18. Verfahren nach Anspruch 16 oder 17, wobei die erste Kabelleitung oder das gemeinsame
Kabel durch ein Leck- oder Abzweigungskabel (171) gebildet werden.
1. Système de services d'avion, comprenant :
une pluralité de lumières (213) d'appel d'hôtesse, chacune desservant un siège
passager différent dans un avion ;
une pluralité de lumières (212) de lecture, chacune desservant un siège différent
parmi les sièges passagers ;
une pluralité d'unités de commutation (211), chacune contrôlant au moins l'une
des lumières (213) d'appel d'hôtesse, et au moins une des lumières (212) de lecture
;
une pluralité d'unités terminales (200), chacune étant disposée pour l'un différent
des sièges passagers, chaque unité terminale (200) comportant une touche (63) d'appel
d'hôtesse, une touche (62) de lumière de lecture, des moyens (219) pour engendrer
un signal de demande en réponse à l'enfoncement de l'une des touches (63, 62) d'appel
d'hôtesse et de lumière de lecture, et des moyens décodeurs (205) pour décoder le
signal encodé ;
un appareil de contrôle central (100) comprenant des moyens encodeurs (151, 152)
pour encoder des signaux à émettre vers lesdites unités terminales (200) ;
des moyens (171) pour transmettre des signaux entre les unités terminales (200)
et l'appareil de contrôle central (100) ;
caractérisé en ce que :
lesdites unités terminales (200) comportent chacune des moyens (221) pour engendrer
une adresse identifiant l'un des sièges passagers de telle sorte que ledit signal
de requête généré comporte l'adresse ;
ledit appareil de contrôle central (100) comporte des moyens générateurs (105)
d'un signal de contrôle susceptible de générer un signal de contrôle de lumière d'appel
d'hôtesse en réponse à chaque signal de requête généré en réponse à l'enfoncement
de l'une des touches d'appel d'hôtesse (63), et un signal de contrôle de lumière de
lecture en réponse à chaque signal de requête généré en réponse à l'enfoncement de
l'une des touches de lumière de lecture (62), chacun des dits signaux de contrôle
générés par lesdits générateurs (105) de signal de contrôle comprenant une adresse
de siège identifiant l'une des lumières (212, 213) ; et
lesdites unités de commutation (211) sont chacune associées à des moyens (220)
pour identifier l'adresse de siège de chaque signal de contrôle reçu, et sont sensibles
au signal de contrôle correspondant transmis par l'appareil de contrôle central (100)
pour contrôler la lumière de lecture (212) ou la lumière d'appel d'hôtesse (213) concernée.
2. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'appareil de contrôle central (100)
comporte des moyens contrôleurs (101) pour recevoir les signaux de requête provenant
des moyens générateurs de signal de contrôle (105) et de traitement des signaux de
requête pour affichage.
3. Système selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'appareil (100) de contrôle central
comporte des moyens d'affichage (103) connectés aux dits moyens de contrôle (101)
pour afficher les signaux de requête traités.
4. Système selon la revendication 2 ou la revendication 3, dans lequel l'appareil de
contrôle central (100) comporte un clavier (102) connecté aux dits moyens de contrôle
(101) pour entrer des signaux de requête sur les moyens de contrôle (101) pour transmission
aux moyens générateurs de signal de contrôle (105), et dans lequel les moyens générateurs
de signal de contrôle (105) sont capables de générer un signal de contrôle pour commander
l'une quelconque des dites lumières de lecture (212) en réponse à chacun des dits
signaux de requête provenant des moyens de contrôle (101).
5. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel lesdits moyens
de transmission de signal comportent un premier câble (171) pour transmettre lesdits
signaux de requête et un second câble pour transmettre lesdits signaux de commande.
6. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel lesdits moyens
de transmission de signal comportent un câble unique (171) pour transmettre à la fois
lesdits signaux de requête et lesdits signaux de commande.
7. Système selon la revendication 5 ou la revendication 6, dans lequel le premier câble
ou le câble unique est constitué par un câble shunté (171).
8. Système selon la revendication 6, dans lequel chaque unité terminale (200) est couplée
à au moins l'une des unités de commutation (211), chaque signal de contrôle est transmis
aux unités terminales (200) pour être envoyé sélectivement vers les unités de commutation
appropriées (211), et chaque unité terminale (200) comporte des moyens (220) pour
identifier l'adresse de siège de chaque signal de contrôle reçu, et des moyens pour
émettre sélectivement vers au moins l'une des unités de commutation (211) couplée
à l'unité terminale (200) seulement ceux des signaux de contrôle reçus qui présentent
une adresse de siège identifiant l'une des lumières (212, 213) contrôlées par au moins
l'une des dites unités de commutation (211) couplée à l'unité terminale (200).
9. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel chacune
des dites unités de commutation (211) est capable d'identifier l'adresse de siège
inclue dans chacun des dits signaux de contrôle.
10. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'appareil
de contrôle central (100) comporte des moyens (110 à 115) pour reproduire des signaux
vidéo et des moyens (121 à 129) pour reproduire des signaux audio, dans lequel lesdits
signaux audio sont encodés par lesdits moyens encodeurs (151, 152), et dans lequel
l'appareil de contrôle central (100) comporte des moyens modulateurs (161 à 167) pour
moduler lesdits signaux vidéo, lesdits signaux audio encodés et lesdits signaux de
contrôle encodés, des moyens de multiplexage (168) pour multiplexer lesdits signaux
vidéo modulés, lesdits signaux audio modulés et lesdits signaux de contrôle modulés,
lesdits moyens multiplexeurs (168) étant connectés aux dits moyens de transmission
de signal (171) et dans lequel chaque unité terminale (200) comporte des moyens (201)
pour recevoir lesdits signaux multiplexés, des moyens démodulateurs (203, 204) pour
démoduler lesdits signaux vidéo, lesdits signaux audio encodés et lesdits signaux
de contrôle encodés, et pour fournir les signaux audio encodés démodulés et les signaux
de contrôle encodés démodulés aux moyens décodeurs (205) et dans lequel les moyens
décodeurs (205) sont capables de décoder lesdits signaux audio encodés et lesdits
signaux de contrôle encodés, des moyens (61) pour afficher les signaux vidéo démodulés
et décodés, et une borne de sortie audio pour la réception des signaux audio décodés
et démodulés.
11. Système selon la revendication 10, dans lequel l'appareil de contrôle central (100)
comporte des moyens mémoire (141 à 148) pour stocker des logiciels de jeux de télévision,
dans lequel lesdits moyens d'encodage (151, 152) sont capables d'encoder lesdits logiciels
de jeux de télévision, lesdits moyens modulateurs (161 à 167) sont capables de moduler
ledit logiciel de jeu de télévision, et lesdits moyens de multiplexage (168) sont
capables de multiplexer lesdits logiciels de jeux de télévision encodés avec les signaux
vidéo modulés, lesdits signaux audio encodés et ledits signaux de contrôle encodés,
et dans lequel chaque unité terminale (200) comporte des moyens (204) pour démoduler
le logiciel du jeu de télévision, et des moyens (209) pour traiter le logiciel de
jeu de télévision décodé et démodulé.
12. Système selon l'une des revendications 10 ou 11, dans lequel chaque unité terminale
(200) comporte un panneau (206) sur lequel on a disposé une touche d'appel d'hôtesse
(63), une touche de lumière de lecture (62), les moyens de visualisation (61) et la
borne de sortie audio.
13. Système selon la revendication 12, dans lequel au moins ledit panneau (206) est disposé
sur la partie arrière de l'un des dits sièges passagers.
14. Procédé de services d'avion comprenant les étapes de :
pour chaque unité d'une pluralité d'unités terminales (200) disposées sur une pluralité
respective de sièges passagers, générer un signal de requête identifiant au moins
une lumière d'appel d'hôtesse (213) et une lumière de lecture (212) desservant le
siège passager sur lequel l'unité terminale (200) est disposée ;
transmettre chaque signal de requête provenant de l'unité terminale (200) sur laquelle
il est généré vers un appareil de contrôle central(100) ;
en réponse à chaque signal de requête, contrôler l'une respective d'une pluralité
d'unités de commutation (211), chacune étant disposée sur l'un respectif de la pluralité
de sièges passagers, et chacune étant susceptible de contrôler au moins l'une des
lumières de lecture (212) et au moins l'une des lumières d'appel d'hôtesse (213) ;
caractérisé en ce que
en réponse à chaque signal de requête, un signal de contrôle est généré sur l'appareil
de contrôle central (100) et est transmis vers les unités de commutation (211) ;
chaque signal de requête engendré comporte une adresse identifiant l'un des sièges
passagers ;
chaque signal de contrôle généré sur l'appareil de contrôle central (100) comporte
une adresse de siège identifiant la lumière (212, 213) identifiée par le signal de
requête ;
chaque signal de contrôle est encodé de manière numérique sur l'appareil de contrôle
central (100) et décodé sur chaque unité terminale (200) ;
pour chaque unité de commutation (211), chaque signal de contrôle reçu est traité
de façon à identifier l'adresse de siège inclue dans ledit signal de contrôle reçu
; et
chaque lumière (212, 213) identifiée par l'une des adresses de sièges est contrôlée
de façon à être identifiée lors de l'étape de traitement du signal de contrôle reçu.
15. Procédé selon la revendication 14, dans lequel chaque unité de commutation (211) est
couplée à l'une des unités terminales (200) et comprenant les étapes de :
sur chaque unité terminale (200), recevoir et décoder chaque signal de contrôle
transmis et identifier l'adresse de siège inclue sur chaque signal de contrôle transmis
; et
sur chaque unité terminale (200) sur laquelle une adresse identifie l'une des lumières
(212, 213) contrôlée par l'unité d'interruption (211) couplée à ladite unité terminale
(200), fournir le signal de contrôle décodé à l'unité de commutation (211) couplée
à ladite unité terminale (200).
16. Procédé selon la revendication 14, dans lequel chaque signal de requête est transmis
sur l'appareil de contrôle central (100) sur un premier câble (171) et dans lequel
chaque signal de contrôle encodé est transmis depuis l'appareil de contrôle central
(100) vers les unités de commutation (211) sur un second câble (172).
17. Procédé selon la revendication 14, dans lequel les signaux de requête et les signaux
de contrôle encodés sont transmis vers et depuis l'appareil de contrôle central (100)
sur un câble commun (171).
18. Procédé selon la revendication 16 ou la revendication 17, dans lequel le premier câble
ou le câble commun est constitué par un câble shunté (171).